BBC Three and admin staff in Salford move

BBC Three is to move to Salford as part of cost-saving measures that will also see the BBC move some administrative posts to the new MediaCityUK.

The announcement by the corporation's director general Mark Thompson followed a nine-month review branded Delivering Quality First.

Mr Thompson said Radio 4 consumer programme You and Yours would also be moved from London to Salford by 2016.

About 2,000 jobs will be axed by 2017 as the BBC tries to save £670m a year.

Director of BBC North Peter Salmon said: "The moves to Salford announced today will enhance and strengthen the BBC's long-term presence at MediaCityUK."

A number of the jobs moving to Salford will be in support services, which are being moved out of the BBC's west London offices at White City and Television Centre, both of which are being sold to help make 20% savings.

A BBC press office spokesman said it was an "aspiration" to move about 1,000 jobs to Salford.

'Significantly smaller'

BBC Sport, which relocated to Salford in the past few weeks, is to take a 15% cut under the proposals, which might mean the loss of some jobs.

The BBC will not be the same organisation if these cuts go aheadNational Union of Journalists

BBC Radio Manchester has been told that 10 of its 45 staff are to lose their jobs by April 2013.

Mr Thompson said: "By 2016 the BBC will be significantly smaller than it is today; employing fewer people, occupying less space, and spending less money.

"It's a plan for a smaller BBC, but a BBC which uses its resources more effectively and collaboratively to deliver a full range of services to the public.

"The plan meets the savings target we agreed in last year's licence-fee settlement, but also identifies nearly £150m per year to invest in high quality output and in the platforms and services of the future."

Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of the technicians' union Bectu, said the BBC's proposals should have been called "destroying quality first".

The National Union of Journalists said: "The BBC will not be the same organisation if these cuts go ahead."